U.S. patent application number 12/648882 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-30 for low-profile folding push-pole holders.
This patent application is currently assigned to R & D SHED, L.L.C.. Invention is credited to John Czipri.
Application Number | 20110155040 12/648882 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44185896 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110155040 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Czipri; John |
June 30, 2011 |
LOW-PROFILE FOLDING PUSH-POLE HOLDERS
Abstract
A folding push-pole holder for recreational boats and the like
has a flush-mounted body member, a foldable hook member and a
detent mechanism. The flush-mounted body member has facilities for
mounting on an associated boat surface, requiring only
screw-diameter holes drilled in the boat surface. The foldable hook
member lies flat when not in use, and upright when extended for
holding a pole. A detent mechanism keeps the foldable hook member
in either the extended or retracted position until it is changed by
a force exerted on the foldable hook member.
Inventors: |
Czipri; John; (Boone,
NC) |
Assignee: |
R & D SHED, L.L.C.
CLEARWATER
FL
|
Family ID: |
44185896 |
Appl. No.: |
12/648882 |
Filed: |
December 29, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
114/343 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63B 17/00 20130101;
B63B 21/54 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
114/343 |
International
Class: |
B63B 17/00 20060101
B63B017/00 |
Claims
1. A folding pole holder for a boat, the folding pole holder
comprising: a flush mounted body member; a hook member hingedly
coupled to the flush mounted body member; and a detent, the detent
holding the hook member either in an extended position or in a
retracted position until changed by an outside force.
2. The folding pole holder of claim 1, wherein the flush mounted
body member is affixed to the boat by a plurality of screws, the
screws passing through the flush mounted body and into a surface of
the boat.
3. The folding pole holder of claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of
the flush mounted body member has a plurality of threaded studs and
the flush mounted body member is affixed to the boat by the
threaded studs passing through a surface of the boat and the
threaded studs are held in place by a plurality of nuts.
4. The folding pole holder of claim 1, wherein the detent comprises
one or more spring loaded balls, the spring loaded balls urged into
longitudinal grooves formed in the hook member.
5. The folding pole holder of claim 4, wherein the one or more
spring loaded balls are held within cavities of the flush mounted
body member by cover plates that are held to a bottom surface of
the flush mounted body member by screws.
6. The folding pole holder of claim 1, wherein the a hook member is
hingedly coupled to the flush mounted body member by a pin, the pin
passing through a first hole in the flush mounted body member,
passing through a longitudinal bore in the hook member and held in
a second hole in the flush mounted body member.
7. A folding pole holder for a boat, the folding pole holder
comprising: a flush mounted body member having a means for
attaching to a surface of a boat; a hook member; a means for
hingedly interfacing the hook member to the flush mounted body
member whereby the hook member does not require holes to be cut in
the surface of the boat for allowing the hook member to extend and
retract; and a means for holding the hook member in either an
extended position or in a retracted position until changed by an
outside force.
8. The folding pole holder of claim 7, further comprising a means
for mounting the flush mounted body member to the surface of the
boat.
9. The folding pole holder of claim 8, wherein the means for
mounting is a plurality of screws, the screws passing through the
flush mounted body and into a surface of the boat.
10. The folding pole holder of claim 8, wherein the means for
mounting includes a plurality of threaded studs extending from a
bottom surface of the flush mounted body member and the threaded
studs pass through the surface of the boat and the threaded studs
are held in place by a plurality of nuts.
11. The folding pole holder of claim 7, wherein the means for
holding is a detent mechanism, the detent mechanism comprising one
or more spring loaded balls, the spring loaded balls urged into
longitudinal grooves formed in the hook member.
12. The folding pole holder of claim 11, wherein the one or more
spring loaded balls are held within cavities of the flush mounted
body member by cover plates that are held to a bottom surface of
the flush mounted body member by screws.
13. The folding pole holder of claim 7, wherein the means for
hingedly interfacing includes a pin passing through a first hole in
the flush mounted body member, passing through a longitudinal bore
in the hook member and held in a second hole in the flush mounted
body member.
14. A folding pole holder for a boat, the folding pole holder
comprising: a flush mounted body member having a generally oval
shaped central opening, one side of the central opening being
substantially flat, the flush mounted body member having a hinge
hole near one end of the substantially flat side and a hinge
threaded hole near a distal end of the substantially flat side; a
hook member having a linear edge for interfacing with the flush
mounted body member, the hook member has a longitudinal bore local
to the linear edge and one or more longitudinal grooves; a hinge
pin, the hinge pin going through the hinge hole, through the
longitudinal bore of the hook member and held in the threaded hole;
and a detent mechanism in the flush mounted body member, the detent
mechanism having a detent member that is urged into one of the
longitudinal grooves when the hook member is rotated about the
hinge pin and the one of the longitudinal grooves faces the detent
mechanism.
15. The folding pole holder of claim 14, wherein the flush mounted
body member has a plurality of mounting holes and the flush mounted
body member is affixed to the boat by a plurality of screws, the
screws passing through the mounting holes and into a surface of the
boat.
16. The folding pole holder of claim 14, wherein a bottom surface
of the flush mounted body member has a plurality of threaded studs
and the flush mounted body member is affixed to the boat by the
threaded studs passing through a surface of the boat and the
threaded studs are held in place by a plurality of nuts.
17. The folding pole holder of claim 14, wherein the detent
mechanism comprises one or more balls, the balls being biased by
springs, the balls urged into longitudinal grooves by the
springs.
18. The folding pole holder of claim 17, wherein the one or balls
and springs are held within cavities of the flush mounted body
member by cover plates that are held to a bottom surface of the
flush mounted body member by screws.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is related to U.S. patent application
titled, "Low-profile folding chock," attorney reference number
2620.22, inventor Bernd Czipri, filed even date here within.
FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to folding pole holders for boats and
more particularly to low-profile folding pole holders for
push-poles used with flat boats.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Retractable cleats and other similar devices are widely used
within boats for securing mooring lines and the like thereto. These
retractable cleats typically include a base member, and a
retractable cleat member that is telescopingly received within the
interior of the base.
[0004] Heretofore, these devices have generally been constructed
such that the mounting post portion of the retractable cleat passes
downwardly, requiring substantial holes to be drilled/cut into the
surface (e.g. gunnels) of the boat. These holes create a larger
area for water seepage into the hull of the boat, even though
proper sealing (e.g. gaskets) precautions are taken. Further adding
to this, the area where the cleat is stored when in the retracted
position provides for a funnel into which water collects, requiring
very good sealing between the shafts of these devices and the
framework. Often, boat owners do not want to drill/cut such large
holes into the gunnels of their boat in case they wish to relocate
the device to a different location. One would appreciate that
filling and finishing a few small screw holes in a fiberglass
gunnel is easier to perform than one large hole and a few small
screw holes.
[0005] What is needed is a low profile push-pole holder that
requires minimal drilling into the gunnels of a boat.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] One aspect of the present invention is to provide a folding
push-pole holder that includes a base member and a folding hook
member. The base member has a bottom surface to be mounted on an
associated boat surface, one or more screw holes for attachment to
the boat and a cavity for accepting a hook member. The folding hook
member hingedly attaches to the base member and swings upwardly
into an extended position to hold a pole (e.g. push pole) and
swings downwardly into a retracted position, substantially flush in
the cavity.
[0007] In one embodiment, a folding pole holder for a boat is
disclosed including a flush mounted body member with a hook member
hingedly coupled to the flush mounted body member. A detent holds
the hook member either in an extended position or in a retracted
position until changed by an outside force.
[0008] In another embodiment, a folding pole holder for a boat is
disclosed including a flush mounted body member that has a way to
attach to a surface of a boat and a hook member for holding a pole.
The hook member is hinged to the flush mounted body member such
that the hook member does not require holes to be cut in the
surface of the boat for allowing the hook member to extend and
retract. The hook member in held by a device for holding, either an
extended position or in a retracted position, until changed by an
outside force.
[0009] In another embodiment, a folding pole holder for a boat is
disclosed including a flush mounted body member that has a
generally oval shaped central opening. One side of the central
opening is substantially flat. The flush mounted body member has a
hinge hole near one end of the substantially flat side and a hinge
threaded hole near a distal end of the substantially flat side. A
hook member has a linear edge for interfacing with the flush
mounted body member and a longitudinal bore local to the linear
edge. One or more longitudinal grooves are cut/formed in the hook
member. A hinge pin passes through the hinge hole, through the
longitudinal bore of the hook member and is held in the threaded
hole. A detent mechanism has a detent member that is urged into one
of the longitudinal grooves when the hook member is rotated about
the hinge pin and one of the longitudinal grooves faces the detent
mechanism.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The invention can be best understood by those having
ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed
description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a folding hook of a
first embodiment in the open position.
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a folding hook
member of a first embodiment in the closed position.
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the folding hook of a
first embodiment in the opened position.
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a chock member of a
second embodiment in the open position.
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a chock member of a
second embodiment in the closed position.
[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view from the top of a
folding chock of the second embodiment, a folding chock member
ready to be inserted into the base member.
[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view from the bottom of the
folding chock of the second embodiment with the folding chock
member ready to be inserted into the base member.
[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the folding chock
of an alternate mounting arrangement in a retracted position.
[0019] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the folding chock
of an alternate mounting arrangement mounted to a gunnel of a
boat.
[0020] FIG. 10 illustrates a plan view of a typical boat showing
side views of multiple folding hooks in a retracted position.
[0021] FIG. 11 illustrates a plan view of a typical boat showing
side views of multiple folding hooks in an extended position.
[0022] FIG. 12 illustrates a plan view of the typical boat showing
a side view of the folding chock mounted to the gunnel and
positioned in an extended position is shown.
[0023] FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of one of the folding
chock holding a rope.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently
preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following
detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same
elements in all figures.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, perspective views of a
flush-mounted, folding hook 10 of a first embodiment is shown
extended (FIG. 1) and retracted (FIG. 2). The folding hook 10
includes a hook member 12 for holding a pole such as a push pole 50
(see FIG. 11) as used to navigate flats boats. The folding hook 10
has a hinge pin 14 to hingedly interface the hook member 12 to
flush-mounted body member 18. As shown in FIG. 2, the folding hook
10 has a low-profile when the hook member 12 is retracted. In some
embodiments, holes or countersunk holes 15 are provided for
mounting to the gunnel 62 of a boat 60 (see FIGS. 10 and 11). Since
the screws are the only part of the folding hook 10 that go through
a surface of the boat, the structure of the boat isn't impacted
and, if the folding hook 10 is later removed, there is minimal
repair work required to fill the holes.
[0026] The longitudinal grooves 11 are described later.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 3, an exploded view of the folding hook 10
of a first embodiment in the opened position is shown. The hook
member 12 hinges to the body member 18 by, for example, a pin 14
that passes through a first hole 17 in the flush-mounted body
member 18, through a longitudinal bore 13 in the hook member 12 and
threads into a threaded hole 19 in the opposite side of the
flush-mounted body member 18. This construction is provided as an
example of hingedly mounting the hook member 12 to the
flush-mounted body member 18. Other constructs with other hinge
mechanisms are known, all of which are included here within.
[0028] To maintain the hook member 12 in either the opened position
(as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3) or in the closed position (as shown in
FIG. 2), a detent mechanism is provided. There are many known
detent mechanisms known in the industry, including the example
shown in FIG. 3. In this, the hinge member 12 has longitudinal
grooves 11 (see FIG. 2) that interfaces with spring loaded balls 6,
such that when the hook member 12 is in the desired position, the
springs 7 push the balls 6 into the longitudinal grooves 11 to hold
the hook member 12 in position. In the embodiment shown, the balls
6 and spring members 7 are held in cavities 5 formed in the
flush-mounted body member 18 by a plate 8 that is screwed into the
body member 18 by one or more screws 9. It is anticipated that any
number of balls 6 and springs 7 be provided, including a single
ball 6 and spring 7.
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a perspective view of a folding
chock 20 of a second embodiment is shown. The flush-mount, folding
chock 20 includes a chock member 32 that has two opposing edges
22/24 for holding a rope 70 (see FIG. 13) such as an anchor rope.
As with existing, fixed chocks, the opposing edges 22/24 are angled
to allow for placing the rope 70 into the folding chock 20 by
angling the rope at the same angle as the edges 22/24, but resists
releasing the rope 70 when the rope is at a different angle. The
chock member 32 has hinge pins 26 for hingedly interfacing the
chock member 32 with the flush-mounted body member 38. In some
embodiments, holes or countersunk holes 15 are provided for
mounting to the gunnel 62 of a boat 60 (see FIGS. 10 and 11). In
this example, the flush-mounted body member 38 is affixed to gunnel
62 (or other location) of the boat 60 with screws or other
fasteners (not shown) passing into holes 15. Since the screws are
the only part of the flush-mount folding chock 20 that go through a
surface of the boat 60, the structure of the boat 60 isn't impacted
and, if the flush-mount folding chock 20 is later removed, there is
minimal repair work required to fill the holes.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, exploded views of the folding
chock 20 of the second embodiment shown from the top (FIG. 6) and
bottom (FIG. 7). The chock member 32 is shown ready to be inserted
into the body member 38. The chock member 32 hinges to the
flush-mounted body member 38 by, for example, pins 34 that
interface with cavities 35 in the flush-mounted body member 38. The
pins 34 are then held within the cavities 35 by plates 3, the
plates being fastened to the flush-mounted body member 38 by screws
9 that screw into holes 3. This construction is provided as an
example of hingedly mounting the chock member 32 to the
flush-mounted body member 38. Other constructs with other hinge
mechanisms are known, all of which are included here within.
[0031] To maintain the chock member 32 in either the opened
position (as shown in FIG. 4) or in the closed position (as shown
in FIG. 5), a detent mechanism is provided. There are many known
detent mechanisms known in the industry, including the example
shown in FIG. 6. In this, the chock member 32 has longitudinal
grooves 11 that interface with spring loaded balls 6, such that
when the chock member 32 is in the desired position, the springs 7
push the balls 6 into the longitudinal grooves 11 to hold the chock
member 32 in position. In the embodiment shown, the balls 6 and
spring members 7 are held in cavities 5 formed in the body member
38 by plates 8. The plates 8 are held to the flush-mounted body
member 38 by one or more screws 9 screwed into holes 2. It is
anticipated that any number of balls 6 and springs 7 be provided,
including a single ball 6 and spring 7.
[0032] In some embodiments, a drain opening or gap 40 is provided
in the flush-mounted body member 38 to provide drainage and drying
of any moisture, should moisture or water seep underneath the
flush-mounted body member 38.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a perspective view of the
folding chock 20 of an alternate mounting arrangement is shown in a
retracted position (FIG. 8) and mounted to a boat (FIG. 9). In this
arrangement, bolts 45 are formed on the bottom surface of the
flush-mounted body member 38, thereby eliminating the need for
separate mounting screws and producing a better looking surface for
the flush-mounted body member 38. The bolts 45 pass through holes
in the gunnel 62 or other location of a boat 60 and are secured
from beneath with, for example, bolts 46.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, plan views of a typical boat
showing side views of multiple folding hooks 10 with the hook
member 12 in a retracted position (FIG. 10) and extended position
(FIG. 11) are shown. The folding hooks are mounted on, in this
example, the gunnel 62 of the boat 60. It is preferred that the
hook member 12 alternate in direction as shown (port/starboard in
this example) so that the push pole 50 is held securely between the
hook members 12 of the folding hooks 10. The body member 18 is
affixed to the gunnel 62 either by screws through holes 15 (as in
FIGS. 1-3) or by bolts 45 formed in the bottom of the body member
18 (as in FIGS. 8-9).
[0035] Referring to FIG. 12, a plan view of the typical boat 60
showing a side view of the folding chock 20 mounted to the gunnel
62 and positioned in an extended position is shown. The
flush-mounted body member 38 is affixed to the gunnel 62 either by
screws through holes 15 (as in FIGS. 4-7) or by bolts formed in the
bottom of the body member 38 (as in FIGS. 8-9).
[0036] Referring to FIG. 13, a perspective view of the folding
chock 20 holding a rope 70 is shown. In this mode, the rope 70
opposes the angle of the edges 22/24 and, therefore, when taught,
will not exit the chock 20. The rope 70 is removed from the folding
chock 20 when it is not taught by angling the rope 70 to align with
the edges 22/24, in which position, the rope 70 fits easily between
the edges 22/24.
[0037] Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set
forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner
in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same
result.
[0038] It is believed that the system and method of the present
invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood
by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be
apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction
and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from
the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of
its material advantages. The form herein before described being
merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the
intention of the following claims to encompass and include such
changes.
* * * * *